Brake control means



May 27, 1941 B. s. AIKMAN 2,243,449 BRAKE CONTROL MEANS Filed Jan. 31, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BURTON 5..AIKMAN ATTORNEY May 27, 1941. El 5. AIKMAN BRAKE CONTROL MEANS Filed Jan. 51, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BURTON 5. AIKMAN BY ATTORN EY Patented May 27, 1941 BRAKE CONTROL MEANS Burton S. Aikman, Wilkinsburg, Pa, assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 31, 1940, Serial No. 316,560

14 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle brake controlling means, and more particularly to apparatus responsive to braking torque produced by operation of the brakes for regulating the braking force applied to a vehicle wheel.

It has been proposed to provide vehicle brake controlling apparatus operative to regulate an application of the brakes in accordance with the braking torque on a brake element cooperating with a wheel of the vehicle, thereby preventing or greatly minimizing the danger of sliding of the wheel along the rail. One object of my invention is to provide an improved torque responsive brake controlling apparatus in which the operating elements for controlling the brake mechanism for each individual wheel or wheel and axle assembly are pneumatically interlocked with the air brake system.

Under modern service conditions, a car for which the above type of brake control apparatus is adapted may be employed atone time in a train of the high speed type, in which the air brake system is usually designed for a high braking ratio, i. -e., the relation of braking force to car weight, and may at another time be used in a train in so-called regular service having a brake system operative under a relatively low braking ratio condition. It is, therefore, another object of my invention to provide a torque controlled braking apparatus including means for adjusting the torque measuring mechanism to render the braking equipment operable either in high speed service or regular service.v

Still another object of the invention is to provide a brake controlling equipment of the above type in which maximum braking force is always created during an emergency application of the brakes regardless of the service in which the vehicle is operated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following more detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational View, partly in section, showing one wheel and the associated brake mechanism of a railway truck embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view, partly in section, of the vehicle wheel and the brake mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional View of an automatic changeover valve device which may be substituted for the manually operable valve device shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, the equipment illustrated includes a disk brake mechanism l0 operable to apply braking force to a wheel H, a torque actuated control valve device [2, a changeover valve device 13, and a self-lapping brake valve device I4.

The brake mechanism It is similar to that shown and described in my application for patent for a brake mechanism filed in the United States Patent Office April 14, 1938, Serial No, 201,866, and is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in association with a vehicle truck that is illustrated in fragmentary form as comprising a side frame structure it having the usual pedestal jaw members ll between which is slidably guided a journal structure 20. Elements of the vehicle truck shown in the drawings further include an equalizer member 21, which is supported on the journal structure 29 and carries the side frame structure it through the medium of truck springs, such as that indicated at 22. As is best shown in Fig. 2, the wheel H is secured to an axle 25, the outer end of which extends beyond the journal structure 2 9. Surrounding a portion of the 'aXle'25 is an annular member 26, which is secured to the journal box structure 20 by suitable means, not shown, and which has slidably mounted thereon a housing 28. The housing has a flange portion 29 which is held in sliding engagement with the member 26 between an annular collar 36 formed thereon and a ring member 3i that is bolted to the flange portion. The housing 28 is provided with oppositely disposed ventilating ducts 33, and carries a projecting torque arm 35 having a rounded end portion 36, which is opera-tively associated with the torque actuated control valve device l2 hereinafter described.

Disclosed within the housing 28 and keyed or otherwise secured to the outer end of the axle 25 is a rotor 3'1 carrying a plurality of annular braking plates or friction disks 3B, which are respectively secured to the rotor by means of a plurality of rods 39 and are adapted to be held apart by means of springs 4G. The friction disks 38 are arranged in interleaved relation with a plurality of stationary brake disks 42, which are slidably mounted on a plurality of rods 43 carried by the housing 38 and are normally held'out of engagement with the adjacent friction disks 3.8 by means of springs such as M.

The several rotatable friction disks 38 and stationary friction disks '42 are adapted to be pressed together for creating brakin force on the associated wheel and axle assemblies by operation of a flexible diaphragm 46, which is mounted in a portion 41 of the housing structure and is subject to the pressure of fluid supplied through a supply pipe 49. The diaphragm 46 is engaged at the side thereof opposite that exposed to fluid pressure by a follower plate 50 which carries a plurality of adjustable elements engaging the outermost stationary friction disks 42.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the torque actuated brake control valve device I2 comprises a casing structure including a bracket portion 52 secured by means of bolts 53 to the equalizer member 2i, a pair of vertically spaced cylinder portions 54 and 55 carried by the bracket portion, and a valve casing portion 56 which may be secured to the respective cylinder portions by means of bolts 51.

Referring to Fig. 3, which is an enlarged detail sectional view of the cylinder portions 54 and 55 of the control valve device, the cylinder portion 54 has formed therein a bore 59 the upper end of which is closed by a cover member 60 within which is formed a bore 6I having a smaller diameter than that of the bore 59 and disposed concentrically thereof. Operatively mounted within the cylinder portion 54 is a piston assembly 62 having a large face 63 formed on a portion which is disposed within the bore 59 and a small face 64 formed on a portion disposed in the smaller bore 6|. The piston assembly 62 is urged upwardly toward the normal position as shown in Fig. 3 under the force of a coil spring 65, which is interposed between the piston assembly and a movable abutment 61 slidably mounted in a sleeve portion 68 of the cylinder portion 54 and projecting outwardly thereof. The abutment 61 has a collar 69 formed on the upper end thereof for limiting downward move ment of the member. The larger piston face 63 is subject to the pressure of fluid in a chamber communicating with a pipe H, which, as shown in Fig. 1, is connected by way of a train pipe 12 to the supply port of the self-lapping brake valve device I4. The smaller piston face 64 is subject to the pressure of fluid in a chamber 14 communicating by way of a pipe with a port 16 of the changeover valve device I3 hereinafter described.

The elements mounted in the cylinder portion 55 of the casing are similar to those just described and comprise a piston assembly 19 having a large face 80 and a small face BI. The large and small portions of the piston assembly 19 are slidably mounted in bores 82 and 83 respectively formed in the cylinder portion and in a cover member 84 carried thereby. The piston face 80 is subject to the pressure of fluid in a chamber 85 which communicates by way of a passage 86 formed in the bracket 42 with the piston chamber 10. Formed at the pressure face 8| of the piston assembly is a chamber 81 which communicates by way of a passage 88 with the piston chamber 84. The piston assembly 19 is urged downwardly in opposition to any fluid pressure in the piston chambers under the force of a coil spring 89, which is interposed between the piston assembly and a movable abutment 90. The abutment 90 is slidably mounted in a bore 92 in alignment with the abutment 61, and is provided with a shoulder 9| for limiting outward movement thereof with respect to the cylinder portion 55.

An equalizing valve device 96 is carried by the cover memer 60 of cylinder portion 54, and comprises a valve element 91 disposed in a valve chamber 98 and operative for controlling communication from the connected piston chambers 10 and 85 by way of a passage 99, the valve chamber and a passage I00 to the connected piston chambers 14 and 81. The valve element 91 is operable by a piston I02 which is subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in valve chamber 98 and of a spring I03. As shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder portion 54 has formed therein a vertically disposed slot I06 through which projects a lug I01 that is suitably secured to the piston assembly 63 mounted within the cylinder portion, it being understood that the slot I06 is disposed beyond the range of movement of the piston assembly so that escape of fluid under pressure from the piston chamber 10 is prevented. Similarly, the cylinder portion 55 of the casing structure is provided with a vertical slot II 0 through which extends a lug I I I which is secured to the piston structure within that cylinder porion.

The valve casing section 56 has formed thereon a pair of extensions H5 and H6 which are respectively disposed above and below the projecting lug I01, and a similar pair of extensions H8 and H9 which are arranged on opposite sides of the lug IH. Formed within the extension H6 is a valve chamber I2I which communicates by Way of a supply pipe I22 with a normally charged reservoir I23, and which is also connected by way of a passage I with a valve chamber I26 formed within the extension H6 and communicating through a passage I21 with the pipe 49 leading to the pressure chamber of disk brake mechanism I0.

Disposed in the valve chamber I2! is a supply valve element I which is normally held in engagement with a seat rib I3I under the force of a coil spring I32 for closing the communication between the chamber I2I and the passage I25, as shown in Fig. 1. The valve element I30 has a stem I that is slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing and terminates in a sealing portion I36, which is disposed in operative alignment with the movable lug I01. Mounted in the valve chamber I26 is a valve I which is normally held in engagement with a seat rib I4I under the force of a coil spring I42 for cutting off communication between the valve chamber I26 and the passage I21. The valve element I40 has a stem I which is slidably mounted in a suitable bore formed in the extension H8 and terminates in a sealing portion I46, which is disposed in operative alignment with the movable lug III. It will be apparent that the valve elements I30 and I40 are so arranged that while either of the valves is seated communication from the supply pipe I22 to the disk brake pipe 49 is closed.

Formed in the casing extensions IE5 and H9 are valve chambers I and I5I, within which are mounted release valve elements I53 and I54, respectively. The valve chambers I 50 and I5I are connected together by a passage I56, which in turn communicates by way of the passage I21 and conduit 49 with the pressure chamber of the brake mechanism I0. has a fluted stem I51 slidably mounted in a bore leading from the valve chamber I50 to the atmosphere, and is engageable with the upper surface of the movable lug I01, which as shown in Fig. 1 is normally positioned for maintaining the valve element I53 spaced away from its seat I59 against the force of a coil spring I60. The valve element I54 likewise has a fluted stem I62 The valve element I53 3 slidably mounted in a bore connecting the valve chamber II to the atmosphere, the outer end of which stem is adapted for engagement with the lower surface of the movable lug III. A coil spring I63 is interposed between the Valve element I54 and the lower wall of the chamber I5I for urging the valve element toward a seat rib I54, it being understood that the movable lug I I I is normally adapted to hold the valve element in unseated position as shown in the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the changeover valve device I3 comprises a casing having a bore in which is mounted a rotary valve key I66 having a branched passageway t6! which, with the valve key in the position illustrated, is adapted to establish communication from the passage I6 to a restricted atmospheric exhaust port I63 formed in the casing of the valve device. As hereinafter explained, the valve key IE6 is in this position adapted to condition the brake control apparatus for operation in a train equipped for regular service with brakes designed for a low braking ratio. When the valve key I66 of the changeover valve device is moved in a counterclockwise direction to its other position, communication is established from the passage I6 through the passageway TI to a passage I'II) leading to the supply pipe I2, the brake control apparatus being then conditioned for operation in high speed, high braking ratio service. As shown in Fig. 1, a handle I'II may be provided for operating the changeover valve' device I3.

It may be desired to employ automatic changeover valve means in place of the manually operated valve device I3 shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Referring to i of the drawings, there is illus trated an inertia controlled changeover valve device I75, comprising a casing I16 having a bracket portion I'il which is adapted to be secured by suitable means, not shown, to the frame of the vehicle truck, and a carrier portion I18 which is adapted to be disposed longitudinally of the truck. The casing I16 has formed therein a valve chamber I89 communicating by way of a pipe I2 with the supply port of the usual brake valve device such as that shown in Fig. 1, in which chamber is mounted a valve element I82 operative to control communication between the chamber I83 and a chamber I83. The latter chamber is connected by way of a pipe I5 to the small piston chambers M and 81 as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3. The valve element I82 is normally urged into engagement with a seat its under the force of a coil spring I85 disposed in the chamber I 89.

A fluted stem I 81 carried by the valve element I82 is slidably mounted in the bore connecting chambers i813 and 283, and terminates in a valve portion I89 which is adapted to seat on the upper surface of a plunger element IQI slidably mounted within the chamber 153. The plunger ISI has a passage I92 for connecting the chamber I83 to the atmosphere, which passage is adapted to be closed upon upward movement of the plunger into engagement with the valve portion I89. controlling movement on the plunger I9I there is provided an inertia member I95, the upper end of which has formed thereon a pair of spaced arm portions I96 and I9! adapted to rest on pins I98 and ass projecting from the carrier portion N8 of the changeover valve casing. The arms I97 and I96 thus extend longitudinally of the vehicle truck or parallel to the path of movement thereof. A boss portion 288 is formed on the inertia member I95 intermediate the arm portions For I96 and I91. for normally supporting the plunger I9'I in its lower position as shown in Fig. 4. As hereinafter explained, the inertia member I95 is designed to swing out of the normal position illustrated in response to anapplication of. the brakes only when the vehicle is operated in a train in high speed service, i. e., in a train the other cars of which are equipped with brakes of the high braking ratio type.

Operation The brake control equipment is illustrated in the drawings as conditioned for operation in regular service employing brake equipment of the low braking ratio type, it being observed in Fig. 3 that the valve key "56in the changeover valve device 13 is positioned to connect the passage ifi: through the passageway I'dI to the restricted atmospheric port I68, so that the connected chambers 74 and 6? of the control valve device I 2 are vented.

If it is desired to effect a service application of the brakes, the brake valve device Id shown in Fig. 1 is moved to a suitable position in the service application zone for supplying fluid from the main reservoir :23 to the pipe I2 at a pressure determined in accordance with the force with which the brakes are to be applied. As may be seen in Fig. 3, fluid under pressure supplied to the pipe 72 flows therefrom by way of the branch pipe I! to chamber It in the control valve device I2, and thence by way of the passage 86 to the chamber 35.

At the same time, fluid under pressure flows from the chamber Ell through the passage 99 to the piston chamber 98 of the equalizing valve device 95, but since the pressure of fluid is at this time less than that required to effect an emergency application of the brakes, the spring I03 remains effective through the medium of the piston #82 to hold the valve 97 seated.

Upon the increase of fluid pressure in the chambers It and 35, acting on the large pressure faces 53 and 6d of the respective piston assemblies 62 and I9, the piston assemblies are forced inwardly against the opposing forces of the springs and 88, respectively, and into engagement with abutments 6! and 9%]. As the piston assemblies mounted in the cylinder portions 54 and 55 are thus operated, the movable lugs I01 and HI carried thereby as shown in Fig. 1 are thus moved toward each other and away from the respective valve stems I51 and 62. The release valve elements I53 and I54 are then quickly moved into engagement with the respective seat ribs I58 and Its under the pressures of springs I68 and IE3, thus cutting off communication from the passage I56 to the atmosphere. Continued movement of the lugs I01 and Ill as just explained results in operative engagement of the lugs with the adjacent ends of the valve stem I35 and H15, respectively, and the two supply valve elements I33 and I 49 are then moved to their unseated positions. With the supply valve elements I36 and I49 thus unseated, fluid under pressure is supplied from the main reservoir I23 by way of the pipe I22, valve chamber I2i, passage I25, valve chamber I25, passage I27 and pipe 49 to the diaphragm chamber of the disk brake mechanism I0, so that the diaphragm 46 shown in Fig. 2 is operated in the usual manner to cause frictional engagement of the several spring disks 42 and 38.

Assuming that the application of the brakes is .thus effected while the wheel II is rotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be apparent that the casing 28 and torque arm portion 35 thereof will be subjected to braking torque tending to carry the torque arm portion upwardly, so that the rounded end portion 36 thereof is forced upwardly against the movable abutment 61. Referring to Fig. 3, as the torque arm 35 is thus moved upwardly, it shifts the movable abutment 61 and the piston 63 in the same direction in opposition to the pressure of fluid in chamber 15. When the force due to braking torque transmitted to the piston assembly 62 becomes greater than the pressure of fluid in the chamber 10 acting against the piston face 63, the piston assembly 62 is moved upwardly, while the lug I01 carried thereby, see Fig. 1, is operated to permit movement of the valve element I35 into engagement with the seat rib I3I under the force exerted by the spring I32.

With the supply valve I30 in seated position, communication between the valve chamber I 3| and the passage I25 is closed so that the supply of fluid under pressure to the diaphragm chamber of the disk brake mechanism II) is cut off. Since the force of which the brakes are applied is thus limited, in accordance with the predetermined fluid pressure in the pipe 12 and in the piston chambers of the control valve device I2, as just explained, further movement of the torque arm 35 is checked before the movable lug I51 and the associated piston assembly have been shifted far enough to effect unseating of the release valve element I53. The control valve device I2 is thus held in lap position with all valve elements thereof seated, so that the disk brake mechanism In is maintained in application position for subjecting the wheel I I to a braking force proportional to the predetermined fluid pressure in pipe 12.

As the vehicle speed diminishes under the effect of the service application of the brakes as just explained, the braking efiect produced by the brake mechanism IIJ may become greater due to gradually increased coefficient of friction between the several brake disks therein, with the result that the torque arm 35 is subjected to correspondingly increased braking torque. The rounded end portion 36 of the torque arm is thereby again forced upwardly against the movable abutment 61 and the associated piston assembly 62 within the cylinder portion 54, until the piston assembly lug I61 carried thereby is further displaced. As the lug I61 is thus shifted toward its uppermost position, it acts through the medium of the valve stem I51 to raise the release valve element I53 away from the seat rib I59, whereupon fluid under pressure is vented from the diaphragm chamber of the disk brake mechanism I!) by way of the pipe 49, passage I21, passage I 56, and through the valve chamber I50 and past the fluted valve stem I51 to atmosphere. A quick partial release of the brakes is thereby initiated to avoid or minimize the danger of any possible sliding of the wheel II.

As the pressure of fluid in the diaphragm chamber of the brake mechanism I is thus reduced for effecting a partial release of the brakes, the braking torque on the torque arm 35 is correspondingly lessened until the effect of that force on the brake controlling valve device I2 substantially balances the efiect thereon of fluid pressure in pipe 12. The brake controlling valve device I2 is then operated to lap position for maintaining the brakes applied under reduced force. It will be understood that this operation of the brake apparatus to efiect a partial release of the brakes may be repeated intermittently during the time required to bring the vehicle to a stop.

The fluctuating values of the coefficient of friction between the brake disks cannot be predicted with certainty, and under some operating conditions the coefficient may decrease with the vehicle speed. In such a case, following an automatic release of fluid under pressure from the diaphragm chamber of brake mechanism I 0 as already explained, the brake control apparatus is adapted to effect a reapplication of the brakes, assuming that the vehicle has not yet been brought to a stop. When the torque arm 35 is relieved of braking torque due to release of the brakes, the pressure of fluid acting against the piston assembly 62 of the brake controlling valve device I2 once again becomes effective to move the piston downwardly, thereby operating the lug I01 into operative engagement with the stem I35 for unseating the valve element I30, whereupon fluid under pressure is again supplied in the usual manner from the pipe I22 through the valve chamber I2I, passage I25, valve chamber I26 and pipe 49 to the diaphragm chamber of the brake mechanism Ill. The brake mechanism is thereby operated to reapply braking force to the wheel I I in the usual manner.

When it is desired to effect the release of the brakes, the brake valve device I4 is operated to vent fluid under pressure from the pipe 12 and consequently from the piston chamber 16 of the brake controlling valve device I2. As is best shown in Fig. 3, upon reduction of the fluid pressure in the piston chamber 10, the spring 65 is rendered effective to shift the piston assembly 62 upwardly to the normal position, and the lug I 01, shown in Fig. 1, is thereby drawn into operative engagement with the stem I51 of the valve I53, which is unseated against the force of the spring I60 to vent fluid under pressure from the diaphragm chamber of the brake mechanism I0 to the atmosphere by way of communications already traced. At the same time, the piston assembly contained in the similar cylinder portion 55 of the brake controlling valve device I2 is rendered operative in a like manner to effect unseating of the release valve element I54. The various operating elements of the brake control apparatus are then disposed in the release position as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It will readily be understood that if the vehicle is being operated to cause rotation of the wheel I I in a clockwise direction when an application of the brakes is initiated, the torque arm 35 is in that case shifted downwardly due to braking torque, causing the automatic control of the brake application to be effected through the medium of the piston assembly contained within the lower cylinder portion 55 of the control valve device and the associated supply valve element I40 and release valve element I54. Operation of these elements Will be understood from the explanation already given.

Let it now be assumed that the vehicle equipped with my improved brake control apparatus is to be operated in a train in high speed service, wherein the majority of cars in the train are provided with fluid pressure brakes of the high braking ratio type. In order to condition the apparatus shown in the drawings for. operation in high speed service, the changeover valve device I3 is first moved to the corresponding position, wherein the valve key I66 shown in Fig. 3 is so disposed thatthe passageway I61 thereof establishes communication from the passage I to the passage I6, while the atmospheric exhaust port I68 is isolated. Upon operation of the brake valve device to effect supply of fluid under pressure to the pipe I2 for causing application of the brakes, fluid under pressure flows therefrom by way of the pipe TI to the piston chambers Ill and 85 adjacent the large piston faces 63 and 8t, and also is supplied by way of the connected passages I70, I61 and E6 of the changeover valve device and through pipe 15 to the piston chambers I4 and 81 at the small pressure faces of the respective piston assemblies.

The piston assembly 62 is thus forced against the movable abutment 61 under a loading force corresponding to the pressure of fluid acting against the combined pressure areas of piston faces 63 and 64, while the piston assembly I3 and. movable abutment 99 are similarly loaded under pressure of fluid acting on the piston faces 85] and 8!. It will be understood that the movable lugs It! and III are at the same time operated in the manner hereinbefore explained to permit the release valve elements I53 and IE4 to assume their seated positions, and to effect unseating of the respective supply valve elements I and I48, so that fluid under pressure is supplied from the pipe !22 past the supply valve and through the pipe 49 to the diaphragm chamber of the brake mechanism I0.

When the torque arm is displaced under the effect of the resultant braking torque, such movement of the torque arm and of the associated valve elements of the control valve device I2 is this time resisted by either the movable abutment 67 and piston assembly I52 or the movable abutment at and piston assembly i9, according to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling, with a force greater than that exerted when the control valve device is conditioned for regular train service. The additional force with which the movement of the torque arm 35 is thus resisted is of course determined by the relation of the pressure area of the effective smaller piston face to that of the larger piston face within the brake controlling valve device I 2. The brake controlling valve device I2 is thus operated to continue the supply of fluid under pressure to the disk brake mechanism It until the braking force applied to the wheel, in response to the predetermined increase in fluid pressure in pipe i2, is greater than that resulting during application of the brakes in regular service, after which the corresponding greater braking torque becomes efiective through the medium of the torque arm 35 to efiect operation of the brake controlling valve device I2 to lap position in the manner already explained. It will thus be apparent that, with the changeover valve device I3 set for high braking ratio service, the brake controlling valve device I2 is rendered operative in accordance with variations in fluid pressure in the pipe 72 to effect operation of the associated brake mechanism corresponding With the operation of the high speed braking system with which other vehicles of the train are equipped.

The equalizing valve device at, which is best illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, is provided to render the brake controlling valve device I 2 operable to effect an emergency application of the brakes'with maximum braking force While the vehicle is operated in regular service, with the changeover valve device I3 positioned as shown in the drawings for maintaining communication from the connected chambers 14 and it to the atmosphere by way of the restricted port 68. If it is desired to effect an emergency ap-.

plication of the brakes, the brake valve device I4 shown in Fig. 1 is operated to supply fluid under a maximum pressure to the pipe 12 and thence to the connected chambers l0 and 85 of the brake controlling valve device $2, the operating elements and valve members of which are then actuated as hereinbefore explained to initiate supply of fluid under pressure to the disk brake mechanism. At the same time, however, fluid at maximum pressure flows from the chamber I9 through passage 99 to the valve'chamber 98 and acts against the piston I02 in opposition to the force of the spring I03 to unseat the valve 9'1, thus causing flow of fluid by way of passage Itil to the connected chambers H and (El. With the combined pressure areas of the piston assembly 62 and of the similar piston as sembly I9 thus subjected to fluid pressure, the springs 65 and 89 are compressed and the abu ments 6'1 and Si] are then loaded to a substantially maximum degree, and are consequently adapted to resist displacement of the torque arm 35 for preventing the stopping of the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake mechanism until an emergency braking force has been developed.

Apparatus shown in Fig. 4

controlled changeover valve device I3 shown in Fig. 3. It will be readily understood that, with the chamber I of the valve device I75 connected through pipe I2 with the pipe i2 shown in Fig. 3, and with the chamber I83 of the valve device connected by Way of pipe 15 with the piston chamber I4 of the control valve device I2 shown in Fig. 3, the valve element I32 of the changeover valve device I15 will be operable to control supply of fluid under pressure to the connected small piston chambers 14 and 81, while the valve portion I89 of the stem I8! is cooperative with the seat I85 to control venting of said piston chamber to the atmosphere by way of passage I92.

If an application of the brakes is effected while the vehicle equipped with automatic changeover valve device I15 is operated in regular service, the valve I82 is maintained in engagement with the seat I85 by the force of the spring I 86 for preventing flow of fluid under pressure to the smaller piston chambers 14 and 81 of the control valve device I2, for the duration of the brake application, since the inertia member i is constructed and arranged to prevent appreciable movement thereof out of the normal position shown in Fig. 4 under the retardation effect normally produced by an application of the brakes on a train equipped for regular service. The smaller piston chambers I4 and 3! of the brake control valve device I2 are thereby connected to the atmosphere, while the larger'piston chambers I0 and 85 are supplied with fluid under pressure from the pipe I2 for initiating and controlling an application of the brakes under a predetermined braking force corresponding to the degree of brake application throughout the train.

If the vehicle carrying my improved torque produced controlled braking system is operated in high speed service, however, and the other vehicles of the train are provided with high speed brake equipment of the high braking ratio type, the automatic changeover valve device I will be rendered operative in response to an application of the brakes to condition the associated brake control valve device I2 to permit build up of maximum braking force. During the first stage of an application of the brakes in high speed service the torque controlled brake apparatus including the automatic changeover valve device I15 is operative in the manner just explained for initiating operation of the associated disk brake mechanism, but the inertia member I95 is constructed and arranged to respond quickly to the effect of train deceleration at the relatively high rate obtained in high speed braking service, by tilting about either the pin I98 or the pin I99, depending upon the direction in which the vehicle is traveling. The boss portion 200 of the inertia member is thereby lifted upwardly for moving the plunger member I9I into operative engagement with the Valve stem I31, closing the passage I92 and unseating the valve I82 against the pressure of the spring I86, whereupon fluid under pressure is supplied from the pipe I2 by way of the chambers I80 and I83 and pipe 15' to the piston chambers I4 and 8'! of the brake controlling valve device I2 shown in Fig. 3. When the combined pressure faces of the piston assemblies 62 and I9 thus subjected to fluid under pressure supplied from the pipe I2, the brake controlling valve device I2 is conditioned for controlling the application of the brakes within the high speed braking range.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the fluid pressure brake equipment constructed in accordance with my invention may be conditioned either for operation in a high speed train for which a high braking ratio is desired, or for operation in so-called regular service, for which braking equipment of a relatively low braking ratio type is ordinarily employed. My improved brake apparatus may be conditioned for either class of service by manually operative changeover means, or by operation of an automatically controlled changeover mechanism, as desired.

Although a preferred embodiment and a modification of certain elements thereof have been described in detail, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A torque controlled braking apparatus for a vehicle comprising braking means, a control device therefor including brake controlling means and means subject to the opposing forces of a variable fluid pressure and of braking torque for actuating said brake controlling means to maintain a retarding force that is proportional to said fluid pressure, and changeover means operable to condition said control device for high braking ratio service at one time and for low braking ratio service at another time,

2. A torque controlled brake apparatus for a vehicle comprising braking means, a control device therefor including brake controlling means and means subject to the opposing forces of a variable fluid pressure and of braking torque 'for actuating said brake controlling means to produce a retarding force which is maintained proportional to said fluid pressure, and changeover means adjustable to condition said control device for controlling said braking means according to one ratio of said opposing forces at one time, and according to a different ratio of said forces at another time.

3. A torque controlled brake apparatus for a vehicle comprising braking means, a brake control device operative to determine the degree of application of the brakes and including movable abutment means subject to the opposing forces of a variable fluid pressure and of braking torque produced by said braking means, and changeover means operable to vary the amount of the area of said movable abutment subject to said fluid pressure, in accordance with the type of railway service in which the vehicle is operated.

4. A torque controlled brake apparatus for a vehicle comprising braking means, a brake control mechanism therefor including movable abutment means subject to the braking torque force produced by said braking means and having inner and outer pressure areas subject to a variable fluid pressure opposing said braking torque force, and changeover means having one position for preventing application of said fluid pressure to one of said pressure areas and another position for establishing a fluid pressure on said one area equaling that acting on the other pressure area of said movable abutment means.

5. A torque controlled brake apparatus for a vehicle comprising fluid pressure operated brake means, valve means controlling supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from said brake means, spring means, movable abutment means having a plurality of pressure surfaces andnormally positioned by said spring means for maintaining said valve means in brake release position, a torque member operative in response to braking torque to displace said abutment means for moving said valve means to fluid supplying position, means for establishing a control fluid pressure acting on said abutment means in opposition to braking torque and variable in accordance with the desired degree of applicationof the brakes, and changeover valve means operable for isolating one of said pressure surfaces of the abutment means from said control fluid pressure.

6. A vehicle brake system comprising, in combination, fluid pressure operated brake means for exerting braking force on a vehicle wheel, a control pipe chargeable with fluid at different pressures corresponding to a selected degree of application of the brake means, valve means controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure operated brake means and the release of fluid under pressure therefrom, a movable abutment constructed and arranged to be biased in one direction by the fluid pressure in said control pipe and in the opposite direction by torque resulting from application of the brakes. for actuating said valve means to regulate the degree of application of the brakes in proportion to the pressure established in said control pipe, and changeover valve means operable to vary the eifective area of said movable abutment exposed to said control pipe pressure for conditioning said brake apparatus for different classes of railway service.

7. A torque controlled brake equipmentfor a vehicle comprising a fluid pressure brake mechanism, torque means responsive to braking torque created by operation of said brake mechanism, biasing means, valve means controlling operation of said brake mechanism and subject to the opposing forces exerted through the medium of said torque means and said biasing means, and means for variably loading said biasing means in accordance with the different braking ratios required for the classes of service in which the vehicle is operated.

8. A torque controlled brake equipment for a vehicle comprising a fluid pressure operated brake mechanism, torque means responsive to braking torque created by operation of said brake mechanism, movable abutment means having a plurality of pressure faces adapted for selective exposure to a control fluid pressure, valve means controlling operation of said brake mechanism and subject to the opposing forces exerted by said torque means and said abutment means, and equalizing valve means responsive to a predetermined increase in fluid pressure acting on one of said pressure faces of the movable abutment means for establishing substantially the same pressure on another of said pressure surfaces.

9. A torque controlled brake equipment for a vehicle comprising a fluid pressure brake mechanism, torque means responsive to braking torque created by operation of said brake mechanism, movable abutment means subject to the pressure of fluid in a plurality of pressure chambers, valve means controlling operation of said brake mechanism and subject to opposing forces exerted by said torque means and said movable abutment means, a changeover valve device controlling a supply communication to One of said pressure chambers and adjustable to vent said chamber to the atmosphere, and an equalizing valve device operative upon a predetermined increase in the pressure of fluid supplied to another of said pressure chambers to efiect equalization of the fluid pressure in said plurality of chambers regardless of the position of said changeover valve device.

10. A torque responsive brake control apparatus for controlling a fluid pressure brake mechanism, comprising a torque member constructed and arranged for movement in opposite directions by braking torque according to the direction of movement of the vehicle, a control pipe adapted to be charged with fluid under a pressure variable in accordance with the braking force desired, a pair of oppositely disposed movable abutments arranged to be subjected to the pressure of fluid in said control pipe for resisting displacement of said torque member in either direction, a pair of supply valves interposed in series relation in the communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said brake mechanism, a pair of release Valves therefor, and actuating means carried by each of said movable abutments for operating the release and supply valves associated therewith.

11. A torque responsive brake control apparatus for controlling a fluid pressure brake mechanism, comprising a torque member constructed and arranged for movement in opposite directions by braking torque according to the direction of movement of the vehicle, a control pipe adapted to be charged with fluid under a pressure variable in accordance with the braking force desired, a pair of oppositely disposed movable abutments arranged to be subjected to the pressure of fluid in said control pipe for resisting displacement of said torque member in either direction, a pair of supply valves interposed in series relation in the communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said brake mechanism, a pair of release valves therefor, actuating means carrier by each of said movable abutments for operating the release and supply valves associated therewith, and changeover means adjustable for different classes of railway service to vary the effective pressure areas of both of said movable abutments.

12. A torque controlled brake equipment for a vehicle comprising a fluid pressure operated brake mechanism, torque means responsive to braking torque created by operation of said brake mechanism, biasing means, valve means controlling operation of said brake mechanism and subject to opposing forces exerted through the medium of said torque means and said biasing means, fluid pressure means for variably loading said biasing means through a plurality of pressure ranges for controlling application of the brakes, and manually controlled changeover means for selecting the pressure range according to the class of railway service desired.

13. A torque controlled brake equipment for a vehicle comprising a fluid pressure operated brake mechanism, torque means responsive to braking torque created by operation of said brake mechanism, biasing means, valve means controlling operation of said brake mechanism and subject to opposing forces exerted through the medium of said torque means and said biasing means, fluid pressure means for variably loading said biasing means through a plurality of pressure ranges for controlling application of the brakes, and inertia means responsive to the deceleration of the vehicle for automatically selecting the pressure range according to the class of railway service in which the vehicle is operated.

14. In a vehicle brake apparatus of the class including fluid pressure operated brake means, in combination, valve means for supplying and releasing fluid under pressure to and from said fluid pressure operated brake means, a control pipe adapted to be charged with fluid under a pressure variable according to the desired degree of brake application, movable abutment means responsive to an increase in said control pipe pressure to operate said valve means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake means;

torque means responsive to braking torque, and means subject to a force exerted by operation of the torque means for biasing said valve means in opposition to the fluid pressure supplied thereto through the medium of said movable abutment means.

BURTON S. AIKMAN. 

